Pete Johnson says he is honored that the SBA considered an organic farm to be a worthy recipient of the award.

Pete's Greens employs 14 people full time and has 400 to 500 members in its community supported agriculture program, in which members pay up front for food grown or produced on the farm or by other farms.

The farm also sells to grocery stores and restaurants and at the Montpelier farmers' market.

Johnson now competes against other state winners for the national small business person of the year, which will be announced in June.